Thank you thank you thank you. I did not know any of these terms!

Thanks Joanne-I needed that!

FEV1 = Forced Expiration or Expiritory Volume (i.e., the speed and volume of air you are able to blow out during tht PFT test), @A MyCOPDTeam Member. I’m not @A MyCOPDTeam Member, but happy to butt in and answer, LOL.

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A MyCOPDT...

@ecky9...Thank you so much now what is an FEV1? Don't understand all these "anagrams" sounds like they are reciting the alphabet!!!!!!

pulmonary function test (I think)

Could someone tell me what a PFT is?

I realized that I hadn't really answered your question about whether you need to be symptom free when you have a PFT done. I suspect that your doc recognizes that if you aren't at your best, they may not get the best results, but they will be able to get a snapshot of your lung issues based on today. That will give them something to start with in treating you. Once you get over whatever it is that is causing you problems and are at the top of your game, you might consider asking for another PFT. That would show any improvement that you've made and also inform your treatment plan. When you see the doc for an explanation of the test results, get a treatment plan together, you could ask about when it would be prudent to have another PFT. Part of that will probably depend on how well you respond to treatment and it may take some experimenting to find the right meds and other treatments, so it's not something they're going to want to do next week......maybe in six months to a year. But at least you will have planted the seed and YOU know what YOU have to do to make it happen.

Give it time, @A MyCOPDTeam Member, and make sure to request written copies of all test results. Hugs to you.

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Thanks for letting me know, it sounded counter to everything I had read lately. I am also beginning to suspect that my current doc and I have not made a good team, which adds to the problem.